Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has no qualms about leaving All Blacks captain Richie McCaw on the bench for Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Blackadder stuck with the same starting line-up that overran the Queensland Reds 38-9 in the qualifying final, despite McCaw's fine late cameo appearance.
"Our focus was to put the best and healthiest team on the field and we're doing that.
"We resisted putting anyone out there for change's sake, and we also wanted to reward those players who had been playing really well."
One-cap All Black Matt Todd will again be the No.7, with 116-Test openside flanker McCaw on the bench for his second match after his seven-month break from the sport.
"Mentally, Richie could have started," Blackadder said.
"But I think maybe his form is not really where it needs to be in these high intensity games. That would have been putting him under pressure."
Blackadder conceded playing at home was an advantage for the Chiefs who have beaten the Crusaders three times in Hamilton in the past two years.
Both teams have stressed the importance of accuracy at the set piece and Blackadder believes that, good decision-making and discipline will be key in determining who progresses to play the Bulls or Brumbies in the final.
"We won't be targeting anyone in particular because the Chiefs are a really good side right across the board.
"These games come down to those pressure moments - who best can make really good decisions. Discipline in these big games is as critical as catching the ball."
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie made seven changes to his last-round regular-season line-up who had last weekend off.
Andrew Horrell and Charlie Ngatai start in the midfield, joined by winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma and fullback Gareth Anscombe.
Rhys Marshall is on the bench replacing Mahonri Schwalger (knee injury), with prop Ben Afeaki, Bundee Aki and Robbie Robinson.
"We had an enormous amount of injuries in the first half of the campaign. So to win our conference and finish top seed speaks volumes for the culture and depth of our squad," Rennie said.
"But at this stage of the season, seedings and previous results count for little.
"Success for us comes down to a willingness to scrap hard for each other for 80 minutes - the reward: a home final and a shot at another title."
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Ryan Crotty, Tom Taylor, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Luke Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Adam Whitelock
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Horrell, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Matt Vant Leven, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Res: Rhys Marshall, Ben Afeaki, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Bundee Aki, Robbie Robinson.
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